The Monthly Herald

January 2016

FROM YOUR PASTOR…

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful.

And since we’ve no place to go, Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

This song, made famous by Dean Martin and also Bing Crosby, was written in July, 1945 during a heat wave in

Hollywood, California. Obviously. No way could it have been written in January in Wisconsin.

We have a love / hate relationship with snow in our state. On the one hand, it’s absolutely beautiful, and it’s also the basis

for skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, and not a few snowmen and snowballs too.

On the other hand, it’s a real hassle in which to spin your tires, get stuck and cover your satellite dish. Not to

mention quite a project to shovel, plow, and blow. About the only thing worse (in cold weather) is ice.

But going back to the beauty of freshly fallen snow… especially on a bright sunny morning when the landscape is all

asparkle, we marvel at the way it covers the ugliness of dormant, brown grass and weeds, frozen mud, and Fall’s

unfinished trash.

On such a day, think of Isaiah 1:18 “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they

are as red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” And Revelation 7:14 “These are they who have come out of the

great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Praise God! Let it snow! Blessings, Pastor Stanton

Bible Classes 2 A Message from Vicar Akey 8

Epiphany Worship Series & Renewed in Christ

3 School News 9

Ladies Groups 4 Youth 10

Snow Information 5 Guatemala News 11

Evangelism & Divine Connections 6 Chili Bowl 12

Pastor Ferry News 7 January Calendar 13

Bible Classes

Monday Morning Bible Class

Ladies Bible Study group Monday mornings at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall

Leader: Laurel Privatt

Sunday Morning Bible Class

Adult Bible Class

January 3 – No Class

January 10 – Book of Acts, Lesson 8 (Dr. Maier Video)

Beginning January 17 – The Book of 1 John: The Epistle of Love

The Apostle John wrote one of the Gospels, three letters to the church, and the

Revelation he received on the Island of Patmos. There is a legend that said at the end

of his exile on Patmos, the apostle did have an opportunity to preach a final sermon.

He would have been in his 90’s and quite frail. So when he was given the chance to

speak, he had a very short sermon. The legend states that he gingerly entered the

pulpit and spoke these words: “Little children, let us love one another.” There is no

greater love than the love of Jesus Christ. In his first epistle, John exhorts us to love

in spirit and truth.

Men’s Bible Breakfast

Men’s Bible Breakfast

January 9 – Luther: The Man – Part 4

January 23 – Luther: The Man – Part 5

All men in the congregation are welcome to join us. We meet around 7:00 am in the

Fellowship Hall on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. We pray, eat breakfast,

and then study God’s Word. We are done about 8:15am. It is a wonderful time of

fellowship.

Thursday Morning Bible Study in January

We will continue our review of the people mentioned in the Christmas, Epiphany, and post-

Epiphany accounts in Matthew and Luke. In December we began with the angels…now we

continue with Zechariah, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Herod, the

wise men, Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, David, Simeon, Anna, Archelaus, and of course our

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Join us at 10:00am.

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God in Flesh made Manifest

The season of Epiphany is the ongoing celebration that began at Christmas: the Almighty God

has indeed come in the flesh. Throughout the season of Epiphany, we witness the many ways that

Jesus showed Himself as God come in the flesh and the One who would fulfill the prophecies of God

sending a Messiah or Savior. This year we will have a sermon series under the theme: God in Flesh

made Manifest.

January 9-10: Manifest in His Baptism in the Jordan; Luke 3:15-22

January 16-17: Manifest in Changing Water into Wine; John 2:1-11

January 23-24: Manifest in Fulfilling Ancient Prophecy; Luke 4:16-30

January 30-31: Manifest in His Power to Deliver and Heal; Luke 4:31-44

February 6-7: Manifest in His Glorious Transfiguration; Luke 9:28-36

The word “Epiphany” means manifestation or revelation. We live in a world that is filled with

skepticism and doubt. Come each week to be built up in the Holy Faith that Jesus is truly God in the

flesh and that He came for you to be your Savior.

Renewed in Christ Hope • Strength • Soar

January 9 & 10, 2016

First Offerings

This weekend each person is invited to join the great adventure of following after the vision God

has for us. The giving of our commitments will begin.

Watch for the final campaign newsletter to be emailed or placed in

your church mailbox in the near future.

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Ladies Aid It’s not too late to join the fun! Please send in your registration forms to join us in a weekend of fun,

fellowship, Bible study and so much more! The 2016 Winter Getaway will be in Oshkosh at the Best

Western Premier Waterfront Hotel on February 5-6, 2016. Information for the retreat can be found

on the LWML website www.SWD-LWML.org and clicking on 2016 Winter Getaway.

Widows Lunch The next Widows Lunch will be Wednesday January 13

th at Kegel’s Inn 5901 W. National Ave. at

11:00am. (Weather permitting)

Ladies Guild The Mitten Barrel is back! Our Ladies Guild is collecting hats, mittens, gloves, scarves,

socks & slippers to be donated to our needy members and others in our community in need.

The barrel is located in the narthex and will be there throughout January.

Ladies Book Club Our next date is Monday, January 11, 2016 at 6:30pm at the ECC. Our book is “A Redbird Christmas”

by Fannie Flagg.

Elizabeth Ministry Please remember Elizabeth Ministries in your prayers and if you wish to join our group please contact

Julie Avila at javila7@wi.rr.com.

Mom to Mom January 18 - “Biblical Building Blocks of Self-Worth” Meet at 6:00pm in the ECC Lobby. Please

contact Angela Ferrell at 262-366-3614 with any questions.

Knitting Group Our Divine Connections Group invites everyone to come and learn to knit. Please bring a

size 8-10 knitting needles and a skein of worsted weight yarn. If you cannot bring or afford

needles or yarn, please come anyway. We have enough to share. January 5 & 19 at 6:00pm

in the ECC lobby.

Quilters Our Quilting Group will resume on January 18th. All members of the congregation are

welcome to come & help with this fun mission. We meet the 1st & 3

rd Monday of each month at 9:00am

in the Fellowship Hall. Come & join the fun!

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THIS IS A BUSY PLACE !! A quick look at the calendar will tell you that there are activities going on throughout the Church

and School complex during the day and evening (and sometimes at night) seven days a week. While we want to encourage the ministry of all our groups and organizations, the only way to prevent conflicts in the use of space is to ask everyone to please check first with the Church and School

office before planning an activity on our campus. Your cooperation is appreciated. ________________________________

Reservation forms for all events & activities are available outside the office on the bottom shelf of the mailboxes.

CHURCH CLOSINGS DUE TO WEATHER

It’s coming to that time of the year when snow, sleet, and ice may make travel hazardous to our

health. In terms of cancelling worship services, we’ll make every effort to act in the interest of

safety.

However, please note: Members come from many different areas of our county and beyond, and

inclement weather may affect one place more than others. We may well still hold services as a

result, but the weather in your area may be too severe to drive safely. If you are being warned to

stay home and off the roads, please do so! We will try to post closings (check WISN channel

12 on TV), but please use your own judgment on whether it’s safe to travel or not! Monitor the

TV/radio/internet on travel conditions in any severe weather situation.

Also please remember that parking restrictions in West Allis, go

in effect after we receive 3 inches of snow. So parking restrictions

may play a role in your decision to travel.

If possible, we will also send out a mass e-mailing regarding any church

cancellations. If you would like to receive an e-mail and are not already

on our Emergency contact list, contact the church office. (414-541-6250)

Thank you to those who were kind enough to deliver birthday bags to our homebound members over the past year. This wonderful act of kindness is greatly appreciated. Special thanks to the following who created & delivered the bags….actually some did 2 or more. Thank you also to Joyce Muecke for organizing this project!! If your name is not on the list, please let Joyce know (414-281-6324) since sometimes a sheet is not returned to her. And be sure to check the narthex table regularly for your chance to pick up a bag to fill, deliver & meet a new friend. Mary DeBona, Nancy Gottschalk, Jean Gabler, Ron Gray, Barb Heimsoth, Ruth Miller, Joyce Muecke, Daniel Vaclav, Chris Hinz, Berta Hemberger, Maxine & Erv Yanke, Ralph & Judy Conrad, Deborah Ulbing, Judy Brunner, Elaine Lemke, Cheryl Seifert, Dorothy King, Shirley Olson-Giese, Terri Bruening.

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Sharing God’s Bounty

January

Being a Faithful Steward

As stewards, we demonstrate our faithfulness by how we manage the resources and gifts God entrusts to us. “Now

it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). We are to “always give

[ourselves] fully to the work of the Lord because [we] know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Our effort is invested in the Lord’s winning cause.

Peter wrote, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace

in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10). Through faith, we serve others by showing our love (3 John 5-6), by witnessing for

Christ (Acts 1:8), by sharing with those in need (2 Corinthians 9:7-8), and by doing good to all people (Galatians 6:10).

God is pleased when we use our time, talents, and treasures in ways that give Him honor and glory through our service

for others.

As devoted and committed stewards who seek to do God’s will, we receive his special blessings. The Lord will “bring

to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise

from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). In 1 Samuel 26:23 we read, “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and

faithfulness.” We look forward to the Lord telling us, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with

a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” (Matthew 25:23).

Until the Lord takes us to our eternal home, we are to be active and involved stewards faithfully seeking to please

him. We can be faithful because he abounds “in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15) to us. We press on as faithful

stewards knowing that “He will not forget [our] work and the love [we] have shown him . . .” (Hebrews 6:10).

“My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that

achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that

is in you. Success is being praised by others and that’s nice too, but not as important or

satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success.”

Helen Hayes

______________________________________________________________________________________

Divine Connections

Our Divine Connections group has put together about 100 WE CARE bags to hand out to people in need. These packages include some nutrition, warmth, HOPE and LOVE. We have them available to anyone in our congregation that would like to have a few on hand. They are located in a bin under the counter in the Narthex. We are also looking for donations of socks, gloves, toiletry items, and bottled water. We will even take cash donations to buy those items. Thank you! Sherry Niemer & the Divine Connections Committee 6

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Luther Memorial Chapel!

We hope all of your celebrations during this time of year are filled with joy and bliss! With all of the opposition to Christ and His true Word in our culture today, many wish to take Christ out of Christmas and replace their Lord and Savior with that which gratifies their sinful desires. However, this is happening all year round, not just during the Christmas season, which we are seeing especially through discussion of abortion and the attack on traditional marriage.

This February 2nd, 2016, LCMS-U in connection with Luther Memorial Chapel & University Student Center will host Dr. Gregory Schulz at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, presenting on the topic, “A Critical Consideration of Derrida’s Deconstruction of Marriage.” He says, “The federal government has preempted our national conversation of Marriage, but we in the trenches deserve an opportunity to think and talk through what is good for us as human being, and as a society.” Dr. Schulz is a Professor of Philosophy at Concordia University Wisconsin, and did a presentation for us last year at the Milwaukee School of Engineering, which many of you attended. Now we wish to invite you again!

Some specific detail regarding the presentation is that it will take place in the Student Union of UWM in room 191 at 6:30 pm. There will be some refreshments available and door prizes given away. Regarding parking, there are a few different options. There is a parking garage at UWM where it will cost $6 to park. There is metered parking on the streets, which I believe is free after 6 pm. But finding a spot will be difficult. Finally, there is the option to park at Luther Memorial Chapel and walk to UWM (LMC is about 6 blocks north of UWM). If you email vicar@lmcusc.org and let me know when you plan to come, we can try to work something out. With any questions about this or wish to inform us of your coming, please email the above address. Otherwise, we hope to see you there!

In the name of our Coming Savior, Vicar Brad Akey

_______________________________________

WINTER TODDLER CLASS BEGINS JANUARY 5, 2016

Our toddler class begins again for children ages 2-3 to be accompanied by a

parent or other adult relative. The new session begins Tuesday January 5th

from 6:00 – 7:15pm at the ECC. This is a great opportunity for adults and

their little ones to interact with each other and with children their own age.

This program is open to any 2 or 3 year old not currently attending our day

school program. If you know neighbors or friends, please invite them to

come. The cost is $55.00 for the 6 week program beginning January 5th. Mrs. Shemanske (ext

2503) can provide you with more details should you have a question. Registration forms are

available at the back of church or in the school offices.

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School News

From the Principal

Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. December was such a

wonderful month. We had many opportunities to praise God through programs, services, and

parties. We learned new songs and sang familiar ones over the days of Christmas reminding us

of our Savior’s birth here on earth. We are blessed with time off of school when we can spend

time with family, recharge our batteries as we prepare for the second half of the school year.

All in all, December is a pretty great month. But we have a new year upon us. With this new

month comes the continuation of plans made way back in August as we move into the second

semester. We plan and prepare not only to finish out this year in a positive way, but we also get

ready for next year.

One way to get excited about next year is to have an Open House. This is an Open House for

prospective families wishing to check out St. Paul’s Lutheran School for the 2016-17 school

year, and to see if Christian education is something they would like to have for their children.

Watch your church and school literature in January for this event that will take place in

February.

Another great event that begins in January is re-enrollment for next year. We have some

different methods which will streamline the process and assist parents to complete enrolling

for next school year in a much more efficient manner. With reenrollment for next year, we are

continuing in the Choice Program (both Milwaukee and Wisconsin). If anyone would like

information about either of these programs, please contact me and I would be more than happy

to talk with you.

One last exciting event that takes place in January is National

Lutheran Schools Week (NLSW). This is always the last full week in

January when churches and schools give praise to God for allowing

us to share His word with children on a daily basis. It also a time

when we celebrate this opportunity with fun and exciting activities

during the week. NLSW kicks off on Sunday, January 23rd and lasts

the entire week. We will start off this week, as we should, in worshipping our God and singing

His praises. We ask that you continue to pray for St. Paul’s and all Lutheran Schools as they

continue to do the work of the Lord.

Please continue to pray for us, that the work we do here on a daily basis is in line with God’s will

and pleasing in His sight. Thank you for your support.

If you have any questions about St. Paul’s Lutheran School, please do not hesitate to stop by or

give me a call. I would love to talk with you about the many possibilities we have in the area of

Christian education here at St. Paul’s. God’s richest blessings to all of you as we transition from

2015 to 2016. Happy New Year!

Principal Schneider

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St. Paul’s Youth

Jr. Youth – Merry Christmas !!

Sr. Youth January 9, 6:00pm – Potato Bar with all the Fixin’s

We will be preparing the potatoes, setting up the Fellowship Hall, and then serving

the meal after the 5:00pm service. We will meet around 3:00pm to get everything

ready. After cleaning up, we will have an important regrouping meeting. If you are

planning to attend NYG, please plan to participate and be at the meeting following.

January 23, 6:00pm – Help watch children for Unified Connections event

On this evening there is a Chili dinner and Bingo night. This is an opportunity to

serve our congregation. We will need a few of our youth to help watch children

who are too young to participate in the Bingo family activity. Please contact Kelly

Crist if you can help. (559-9122)

January 29, 6:00pm – Dinner and a Movie at Pastor’s House

Come and enjoy an evening of fellowship with your Christian friends, watch a movie, and have a

discussion about it afterwards. Pastor’s house is located at 2367 S. 118th Street.

January 31, 1:30pm – Bowl-a-thon at Beloit Lanes

All of our youth attending the NYG are expected to participate in this major

fundraiser. Pledge sheets and instructions were given out at the meeting on

January 9. Make sure you get a pledge sheet if you missed the meeting!! Bring

$10 to cover the cost of bowling and snacks.

Palermo’s Pizza Fundraiser

Watch the bulletins for details !

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Happy New Year from your Groundwork Guatemala team. A very special Thank You to all who ate at Perkins restaurants this fall – your appetites and patronage have netted us $580 which will help significantly with our trip costs! As we enter in to the last 2 months of our preparations for this year’s trip, we need to ask your help in 2 important areas.

First, the Guatemala school year begins in January, and that means tuition is due for the 4 children we sponsor as a congregation. 3rd graders Yeymi, Cristino, Santos, and 7th grader Marvin Joel are all doing very well at El Paraiso school. Yeymi likes math and dreaming of becoming a teacher. Cristino prefers phy ed and wants to be a mechanic. Santos is another math buff and hopes to become a firefighter. Marvin Joel (“Mono”) preference for science and technology classes falls in line with his desire to be an electrician. The children and their families are all extremely grateful for our support; a tuition scholarship means these kids get both a quality practical and Christian education. Without financial support, families often cannot afford school, or must choose between food and education.

So, on the weekend of January 16-17, we will have a door offering at the close of services. Your donation will go to continue paying tuition for these wonderful children. As Marvin Joel writes, “Thank you for this opportunity that you have given me. I am grateful that you are so nice. May God spill blessings on your life. May God bless you.”

Secondly, we continue to ask for In-Kind Donations of school and health/hygiene supplies which we will carry with us to Guatemala. Items may be placed in the baskets in the Narthex and 1st floor elevator area.

REQUESTED DONATIONS: Ziploc bags in snack, quart, 1-, 2-, and 2.5-gallon sizes, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, 1/2” prong paper fasteners, glue sticks for glue guns, paper plates.

24 count crayons; 8 count jumbo crayons; 12-count colored pencils; pencil sharpeners and erasers; one-and 5-subject spiral notebooks; speckled composition books; 2-pocket folders; children’s scissors‘ 12” rulers (metric on one side, preferably metal), 10-count broad line markers, red wide-tip markers; red, blue, black pens; construction paper, #2 pencils, white glue.

Unisex deodorant; large bar soap; adult and children’s toothbrushes; large tubes of toothpaste; adult multivitamins; children’s chewable multivitamins (NOT GUMMIES), infant vitamin drops, prenatal vitamins.

Medical supplies (Expiration date later than March 5, 2016): acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, antacids, tums, zantac; antibiotics for adults and kids: amoxicillin, ampicillin, bactrim, keflex, cipro--generics are fine!: 81 mg aspirin, benadryl, caladryl lotion, children’s pain reliever/fever meds, cough/cold/sinus/decongestants/multisystem meds for all ages; diarrhea/nausea meds; hydrocortisone cream, nystatin yeast infection meds for adult and children, athlete’s foot meds, parasite and worm meds, Metformin 500 and 850mg, sudafed, throat lozenges.

Diabetic test strips for One Touch Ultra or Accucheck Active ONLY, epi pens; single use eye and ear drops (antibiotic and non-antibiotic), #18 Foley catheters and supplies, gauze squares, powdered medium or large exam gloves, band-aids, alcohol wipes, pregnancy tests, strep tests, tongue depressors individually wrapped, urinary tract infection test strips, would care supplies of all types including tape.

We sincerely thank you for ALL your generosity! And our final request is for your continued prayers for the people of Guatemala and the success of our mission.

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Friends of Concordia University invite you to join them in travelling to the Fireside Theater in Fort Atkinson on January 30, 2016 to enjoy “Legends in Concert!” Reservations and more information are available by calling Sandy Vick at 262-243-4333. Bring a friend!

TATTOO’S COLORFUL BODY ART FORM, SOME SMALL—SOME LARGE. WE ALSO HAVE OUR TATTOO’S, GIVEN TO US AT OUR BAPTISM. THE SIGN OF THE CROSS, UPON OUR FOREHEADS AND HEARTS. THEY ARE INVISIBLE, BUT DEEPLY EMBEDDED IN OUR MINDS HEARTS SOULS REASSURING US, WE ARE GOD’S REDEEMED CHILDREN, HE HAS CLAIMED US AS HIS OWN. ELAINE LEMKE

January 23rd 2016 Time: 6:15 p.m. (Immediately following the church service)

Location: Fellowship Hall

Join us for FREE FUN – Everyone’s Invited

Free chili dinner and candy bar

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CHILI - HOT DOGS - BINGO

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